Teaching Observation and Feedback: what is the value?

Maia Forrester, Ian Lee, Lorna Jackson, Fiona Crichton, Debbie Aitken

Learning and Teaching Conference, 19th June 2019

Clinical Educator Programme

What is it?

Workshops (2‐3 hour), online modules, teaching observation and feedback, reflective portfolio.

Who is it for?

Anyone teaching University of Edinburgh medical students

Where is it? 

Many sites across SE Scotland

What does it cost? 

Free to those eligible

What we observe and how we do it

Purpose of observation and feedback

We want to…

EncouragePromote reflectionAffirm ‘teacher’ identityInspireBe of practical helpBe friendly

Purpose of observation and feedback

We don’t want to…

Evaluate Monitor‘Tick boxes’Cause anxietyUse a lot of theoryBe very formal

What we did to explore this

Bristol Online Survey questionnaire

Who are we observing?What are their expectations?What does it feel like to be observed and get feedback?How might it change their practice?

So what have we found?

“Who are you and what do you do?”

Wide range of all characteristics

Many never been observed before

What did you expect?”

10 56 70

150

51

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Assessment

569 77

143

43

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Professional development

2

70 61

165

39

Stronglydisagree

Disagree Nostrongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Relaxed

26

76

178

57

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Clear expectations

5 18

152 162

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Helpful

“How did it feel at the time?”

48

112

64

99

14

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Assessment

2 33 39

153

110

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Professional development

1 1 1 74

260

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Helpful

2 1 6

120

208

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Relevant

“What words describe how you felt?” 

39.8

50.753.4

32.3

85.5

41.236.5

68.262.9

76.3

51.6

5.3 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.9 1.5

NegativePositive

“What words describe how you felt?” 

“Why was it helpful?”

Themes:

1. Positive change2. Supportive environment

3. Observer objective4. Supported reflection 5. Gratitude

POSITIVE CHANGE: “The feedback session was one of the most useful I have ever had and will have a huge influence on the way I plan, deliver and evaluate my teaching in future”

SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT: “(name) was absolutely lovely, very encouraging … a pleasant, supportive, constructive manner … an informal atmosphere which was very helpful”

OBJECTIVE OBSERVER“It is very good to hear from someone else whom you don't know very well how you did to get an unbiased opinion”

SUPPORTED REFLECTION:“It felt like a safe space to reflect on my practice”

GRATITUDE:“As a result of the TOF I do genuinely feel … appreciated … which often isn’t the experience of busy NHS staff … Thanks for your time”

“How have you felt since?” 

3 4 80

199

51

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

More competent

3 2 51

213

68

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

More confident

2 5

130152

48

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Teaching more enjoyable.

“What will you do now?” 

2 2 6

201

126

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Make changes

3 30

142122

40

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Want another TOF

1 2 14

139

181

Stronglydisagree

Disagree No strongfeelings

Agree Stronglyagree

Will recommend

What might all this mean?

We think the main message is …

“Correction does much, but encouragement does more”

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

But what do you think?

ReferencesDonnelly, R. (2007).  Perceived impact of peer observation of teaching in higher education.  International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 19 (2) 117‐129

Sullivan,  P. B., Buckle, A., Nicky, G., Atkinson, S. H. (2012).  Peer observation of teaching as a faculty development tool.  BioMed Central Medical Education. 12 (26) http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472‐6920/12/26

Dewar , B., Mackay, R., Smith, S., Pullin, S. and Tocher, R. (2009).  Use of emotional touchpoints as a method of tapping into the experience of receiving compassionate care in a hospital setting.  Journal of Research in Nursing. 15(1) 29‐41

Teaching Observation and Feedbackmaia.forrester@ed.ac.ukian.lee@ed.ac.ukwww.clinicaleducator.org